PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms. Arm I: Patients receive arginine butyrate IV over 6-9 hours at night 5 days a week for 12 weeks, plus concurrent standard local therapy consisting of cleaning, saline irrigation, and dressing changes as prescribed by each patient's physician. Patients who experience progressive healing receive arginine butyrate 3-4 times a week. Arginine butyrate treatment may be discontinued and reinstated following a single 2 week medical complication.

Arm II: Patients receive standard local therapy only for 12 weeks. Patients randomized to arm II may cross over to receive arginine butyrate if no or less than 25% healing is observed after 12 weeks.

Patients whose ulcers have closed by at least 15% per course may receive 2 additional 8-week courses of arginine butyrate therapy and are followed for 2 months after healing is completed.

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:

--Disease Characteristics-- Significant sickle cell syndrome including HbSS, S-beta thalassemia, and hemoglobin variants Lower extremity or ankle ulcer (or ulcers) present for at least 6 months without healing --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- Biologic therapy: No chronic transfusion therapy Chemotherapy: No prior or concurrent cancer chemotherapy No concurrent butyrate derivatives Prior treatment with hydroxyurea allowed if on a stable dose for at least 1 year Endocrine therapy: No concurrent corticosteroid therapy Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: Not specified Other: Must be treated with antibiotics prior to entry for complicating cellulitis or secondary infections --Patient Characteristics-- Age: 16-60 Performance status: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: No hepatic compromise Transaminases no greater than 250 IU Renal: No renal compromise Creatinine no greater than 1.2 mg/mL (adults) Creatinine no greater than 0.9 mg/mL (teenagers) Other: Not pregnant Fertile patients must use effective contraception No poorly controlled seizure disorders No other secondary conditions that might inhibit immune function